Adolph a



Dec. 4, 1928. 1,693,967

. A. A. THOMAS COMBINED RADIO AND PHONOGRAPH CABINET Filed Feb. 1924 INVENTOR Patented Dec. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.ADOLPH A. THOMAS, 015 NEW YORK, N. Y.

COMBINED RADIO AND Application filed February My invention is for a combined radio and phonograph cabinet constructed to constitute a single pieceof household furniture containing complete radio-receiving apparatus and phonographic reproducing mechanism. The amplifying horn of the phonograph mechanism is also utilized for the loudspeaker of the radio set, and there is means for acoustically connecting either mechanism with the horn by merely adjusting a finger piece conveniently located on the cabinet. This finger piece, which may be simply a knob on the phonograph motor board or the radio panel, controls an acoustic valve mechanism in the cabinet for readily connecting either the tone arm of the phonograph or the telephone receiver of the radio set with the amplifying horn. No removal of the phonograph sound box or any other parts is necessary to use the phonograph horn as an amplifier for the radio set. In its preferred form, the acoustic valve mechanism of my invention also performs the function of controlling the volume of sound issuing out of the horn either from the sound boX or from the telephone receiver.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of'my invention will become apparent from a detailed description of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a cabinet embodying the features of my invention. In these drawings,

Fig. 1 shows in perspective a combined radio and phonograph cabinet equipped with my invention;

2 is a plan view, partly in section, of a portion of the cabinet, showing the acoustic connection bet-ween the radio telephone receiver and the amplifying horn;

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, to show the connections for operating the valve which controlsthe acoustics connections of the horn with the tone arm and the radio set; and

Fig. 4 showing positions.

A cabinet K, of any approved construction and design, contains phonograph mechanism P and radio receiving mechanism R. It will not be necessary to describe either of these mechanisms in detail, since they are well understood and are purchasable in the open market in various forms andstyles. So it will beunderstood that P represents any is an enlarged fragmentary view the controlhng valve in various IPHONOGRAPH CABINET.

5, 1924. Serial No. 690,697.

suitable phonograph mechanism installed in the cabinet, and R is any practical radio receiving set.

In the particular instance illustrated, the cabinet has a right compartment 1 and a left compartment 2. Doors 1 and 2, respective ly, may be provided for these compartments. The right compartment 1, which houses the phonograph mechanism, has a top panel 3, usually called the motorboard, from the fact that it supports the phonograph motor. Compartment 1 also contains a sound-amplifying horn H of suitable construction and design, and acoustically connected with the tone arm in the usual way. The horn H, as in all standard or accepted makes of phonographs, is rigidly built into the cabinet.

The left compartment 2 is for the radio mechanism. A top panel 4, preferably in line with motorboa-rd 3, may support the adjustable hand members of the tuning units contained in the radio set. Or, if the radio parts are mounted in a box with a vertical front panel, the entire outfit may be placed as a unit in compartment 2, leaving the front panel of the box at the open front of the compartment for easy manipulation of the finger pieces projecting from the panel. It is immaterial how the radio set is mounted in the cabinet.

The radio set in the cabinet includes a telephone receiver S of suitable construction. There are many kinds of such receivers on the market, and are well known to radio enthusiasts, so I need not describe the detailed construction of receiver S, which represents more or less diagrammatically any practical form of radio telephone receiver. I will now describe how the receiver S may be readily connected with horn H without removing or even disturbing the sound box of the phonograph mechanism.

In the neck 5 of horn H is provided an opening 6 over which is secured a plate 7, as by screws 8, or otherwise. Plate 7 has a cylindrical flange or extension 9 adapted to receive the end 10 of a suitable sound tube A. Preferably the end 10 of the tube is enlarged, asshown in Fig. 4;, so that flange 9 of plate 7 forms substantially a continuation of the inner wall of the tube. The other or smaller end of tube A is connected to a pipe 12 mounted in the partition 13, wiich separates compartments 1 and 2.

side the cabinet. It is obvious that the practical advantages of my invention are fully realized in a phonograph cabinet equipped with my novel means foracoustically c011- necting a telephone receiver With a phonograph horn, irrespective of where the radio set is situated. 7

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a simple and convenient means for untilizing the horn of a phone'- graph cabinet as a loudspeaker tor a radio set without the trouble of having to remove the sound box. A little twist of knob 21,01 whatever kind of finger-piece may be used, is all that is necessary to connect either the tone arm or the radio telephone receiver with the amplifying horn. By bringing the small end of tube A out near the front of radio compartment 2, the receiver S is in a handy position. for removal and replace ment.

If desired, the cabinet may be made entirely self-contained as a'radio cabinet by providing it with a receiving loop.

Although I have herein shown and described a specific construction, I Want it understood that I have done so merely to e20 plain my invention by means of an illustrative embodiment, and not by way of restriction or limitation. Changes and modifications will doubtless occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination oi a phonograph horn communicating with a tone arm, a sound tube acoustically connected with said horn, a telephone receiver adapted to be connected with said tube, a rotary valve for acoustically connecting said horn either with said tone arm or with said tube as a common sound amplifier for both, a vertically mounted rot. for operating said valve, and a finger piece at the top of said cabinet for actuating said rod.

2. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination of a phonograph horn connected. with a tone arm, a sound tube acoustically connected with said horn independently of the tone arm, means for supporting said horn independently of said sound tube, a rotary valve for controlling the acoustic connectionsot the tone arm and the sound tube with said horn, means for so mounting said valve that it remains in any adjusted position to control the volume of sound issuing out of said horn from either the tone arm or the sound tube, and means for manually controlling the position of said valve.

In a radio-phonograph cabinctthc com- .rtion of phonograph horn connected with a: tone arm, a telephone receiver acoustically connected with said horn independent- 1y of the tone arm, a horizontally movable vane for controlling the acoustic connections of the tone arm and the telephone receiver with said horn, means for so mounting said vane that it remains in any adjusted position to control the volume of sound issuing out of said horn from either the tone arm or the telephone receiver, and a rotary finger piece projecting from the cabinet for manually controlling the position of said vane.

4. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination of a phonograph horn communicating with a tone arm, a sound tube acoustically connected with said horn, a swinging vane for acoustically connecting said horn either with said tone arm or with said tube, whereby said horn acts as a common sound amplifier for said tone arm and said tube, a vertically mounted rod connected with said vane, and a rotary finger piece at the top of said cabinet for turningsaid rod to swing said vane into the desired position.

5. In sound-reproducing apparatus, a cabinet having a sound-amplifying horn provided with an opening intermediate the neck and mouth of the horn, a plate secured over said opening, a tubular flange on said plate in line with said opening, a support in said cabinet, a pipe slidably mounted on said support, a sound tube supported at one end on the flange of said plate and at the other end on the projecting end oi said pipe, said pipe being adapted to be connected with a source of sound to be amplified through said tube and said horn, and a manually adjustable member for controlling the sound opening at the junction of said tube and said horn.

6. In sound-reproducing apparatus, a cabinet having a sound-amplifying horn provided with an opening intermediate the neck and mouth of the horn, a plate secured over said opening, a tubular flange on said plate in line with said opening, a support in said cabinet, a pipe slidably mounted on said support, a sound tube supported at one end on the flange of said plate and at the other end on the projecting end of said pipe, sa1d pipe beingadapted to be connected with source of sound to be amplified through said tube and said horn, a vanepivoted on said plate and arranged to open and clpse said opening in the horn, and means ror controlling said vane.

7. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination of a phonograph horn connected with a tone arm, a sound tube of substantial length connected to said horn intermediate the neck and mouth of the horn, means for supporting said horn independently of said sound tube, a telephone receiver connected to the free endof said tube, a movable vane mounted at the junction of said tube and said horn, means whereby said vane closes said horn against the tone arm andacts as All.

a deflector of sound waves from said tube through said horn said vane being also constructee t close said tube and open communication between the tone arm and the horn, whereby said (one not only controls the acoustic connections of said tube and said tone arm with c horn but also acts in intermediute positions to control the vol ume of sound iss ring out o'l said horn means for so mountin aid H1119 ii at it remains not only in its 'ons but also in any at its interinec i v ons, and means for manually controlling the position of said vane.

8. in a radio-phonograph cabinet the COlTllJlllZltlOil of a phonog ziph horn comm inicating with a tone cxrm a telephone receiver, sound conduit betw on said receiver and said horn independent or" the tone arm, a movable linger piece on the top board or said cabinet and e si' le valve member ope :ited by said finger piece for connecting either the to; e arm or the telephone receiver with said horn.

9. in a rndio-phonogroph cabinet, the combination of a phonograph horn communicating with a tone arm at telephoie receiver a sound conduit between said receiver and said horn independent of the tone arm, n pivoted finger piece on the top board or said cabinet and a pivoted ridre operated by said linger piece for connecting other the tone arm r the telephone receiver wit-h said horn.

10. in :1 device of the character 1 c horizontally c isposed amplifier inlets lezio to the rear thereof from plurul' sound reproducing devices and a ver disposed tone modulator pivoted u-t l'l rear of said nnplilier' capable of lateral novel extending towards the exit por r and conrolling the exit of warts from either of said inlets.

11,111 it radio-phonograph cabinet, the combinnt o or phonograph horn communicating with a tone arm, a sound tube mounted in fixed position within the-cabinet and leading into said horn, e telepn, eeivcr connected to the free end of s is movable linger piece arranged ovei board of soil cabinet, at c f) ber separate i'roin said linger piece and mounted indepen cot end :1 connection between s21 niece and Find valve 1 operating he lett r to connect either the tone nrn'i or ephone receiver with said horn.

12in a lio-phonog combination of it phone i meeting with a tone err ceirer, a sound passage cciv-r and said horn lilo the tone arm or the telephone receii er wi said born, a finger piece pro ecting a ove the 13.1n it rudio-phouogrzrph "ubiueh the combination of it phonograph horn communiczitingwith 21 tone arm, a: tclcphonc rcceirer, a sound passage betwccn sziid rcceivcr and said horn independent of the tone arm, a turnuble valve tor connecting either the tone urin or the telephone rcccivcr with said horn u rotor member vertically mounted within the nbinct, u knob arranged on the topbozird ot the ubiuct cud tixcd to the upper end of said member, suid knob being horizontull turnablc in oppm-itc directions to rotate said vertical. mcudicr, and means for operzitivcl connecting said member with said valve.

H.111 a :ltllUPllOllOQlilHl cubiuct, the combiinition of u phonograph horn communicuting with :1 tone uriu, :1 sound tube mounted within said nbinct below the topbozird thereof and communicatiug ut one cud with the neck of said horn. u tclcphouc re ceiver connected to the other end or" suid tube, :1 single valve member mounted at the junction of said tube and born for interchangeably connecting either thc receiver or tone arm with said horn n pivoted {hugel- L110 piece projecting above the topbonrd and mounted independently of said valve, uud u ovnble connection between said linger lliti'i one said valve.

1:. In :1 rzidio-phonogruph c: binct. the :ombinution of :1 horn mounted in the cubinct below the topbourd thereof and columnnicating with :1 tone urm, u telephone r eiver within the cabinet below said topbourtb :1 sound tube connecting suid receiver with the neck ot said horn, :1 vuivc For iotcrclningcubly cutting; oii' communicution of said tone arm and suid tube with the phonograph horn, :i pivoted handle mounted on topbourd indcpcndcntlv of sziid v i o alive for octuutii the lziiici.

i. In a rndio-phonogrnph cwbiuch the binution of :1 phonograph horn communicating with it l" suid thereof 17.1 1 :1 redio-phono irzrph cibiuct. the combination of o, phonograph horn couunumeeting with a tone an], a sound tube loo acoustically connected with said horn, a telephone receiver adapted to be connected with said tube, a single valve member for acoustically connecting said horn either with said tone arm or with said tube as a common sound amplifier for both, a vertically mounted rod for operating said valve, and a finger piece at the top of said cabinet for actuating said rod.

18. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination of a phonograph horn communicating with tone arm, a sound tube acoustically connected with said horn, a valve for acoustically connecting said horn either with said tone arm or with said tube, whereby said horn acts as a common sound an'iplifier for said tone arm and said tube, a vertically mounted rotatable rod connected with said valve, and a turnable finger piece at the top of said cabinet for turning said rod to actuate said valve into the desi ed position.

19. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination of a phonograph horn communicating at its inner end with a tone arm, a tube mounted in fixed position below the motorboard of the cabinet and connected. at its inner end with said horn, a telephone receiver connected with the other end of said tube, a horizontally swinging valve plate pivoted on a vertical red at the junction of said tube with said horn, and a rotatable finger piece on the motorboard connected to said rod for actuating said valve plate.

20. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination of a phonograph horn, a tone arm mounted on the rear portion of the motorboard of said cabinet and communicating with said horn, a branch tube acoustically connected at its inner end with said horn be low the motorboard, a telephone receiver connected with the other end of said tube, a horizontally swinging valve plate pivoted at one end on a vertical rod at the junction of said tube with said horn, a rotatable finger piece mounted on the motorboard back of the turntable and connected to said rod for actuating said valve plate, and a pointer movable with said finger piece over the motor board to indicate the position of said valve plate.

21. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination of a phonograph horn communicating at its inner end with a tone arm, the neck of said horn having an opening in one of its vertical walls, a tapering radio reproducer arm arranged horizontally in said cabinet below the motorboard thereof, means for connecting the larger or base end of said reproducer arm to said vertical wall of the horn to cover said opening, a radio telephone receiver connected to the small or free end of said reproducer arm, a valve plate pivoted at one end in the neck of said horn for connecting either the telephone receiver or the tone arm with said horn, a rod extending from said valve plate substantially in line with its pivotal mounting, and a. iii ger piece outside the cabinet for turning L id rod one way or the other to swing the oted valve plate into the desired position.

22. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination 01" a phonograph horn communicating with a tone arm, a sound tube acoustically connected with said horn below the topboard of the cabinet and adapted to receive a telephone receiver at its free end, a turnable valve at the junction of said horn and tube for interchangeably c0nnecting either the receiver or the tone arm with said horn, said valve being provided with an axial extension, actuating means on said extension, a turnable finger piece mounted independently of said valve, a member connected to said finger piece and turnable therewith, said member extending below the topboard, and actuating means carried by said member and operatively connected with the actuating means on said extension.

23. In a radio-phonograph cabinet, the combination of a phonograph horn communicating with a tone arm, a sound tube coustically connected with said horn below the topboard of the cabinet and adapted to receive a telephone receiver at its free end, a turnable valve at the junction of said horn and tube for interchangeably connecting either the receiver or the tone arm with said horn, said valve being provided with an axial extension, actuating means on said extension, a turnable finger piece mounted on the topboard of the cabinet independently of said valve, a vertical member connected with said finger piece and turable therewith, said member extending below the topboard, and actuating means at the lower end of said member, said last-named actuating means being operatively connected with the actuating means on said extension 24. A combined radio-phonograph cabinet comprising a horn-shaped sound-amplifying chamber, a tone arm carrying a phonograph reproducer and communicating with said chamber, a sound tube mounted in fixed position within said cabinet and leading into said chamber, a telephone receiver connected to the free end of said tube, a valve plate pivoted at the junction of said tube and said chamber, said valve plate in one position forming a continuation of said tube to connect the same with said chamber to the exclusion of said tone arm, said valve plate in another position closing 0% the sound tube and connecting the tone arm with said chamber, a rod rotatably mounted in said cabinet, said valve being pivoted independently of said rod, means for connecting said rod at its inner end withthe pivot axis of said valve, and a rotary finger piece at the outer end of said rod for turning the same in either direction to operate said valve plate.

25. Acombined radio-phonograph cabinet comprising a horn-shaped sound-amplifying chamber, a tone arm carrying a phonograph reprodueer and communicating with said chamber, a sound tube mounted in fixed position within said cabinet and leading into said chamber, a telephone receiver connected to the free end of said tube a valve plate pivoted at the junction of said tube and said chamber, said valve plate in one position forming a continuation of said tube to eon nect the same with said chamber to the e); clusion of said tone arni, said valve plate in another position closing off the sound tube and connecting the tone arm with said chamber, the pivot axis of said valve plate extending outside of said unciuuu an aetuating;- lneniber lixed on the ouiei' extension o'li said pivot 3215 11 rod nouined in said cabinet indepcndentl3 of said pivot axis and substaniiall parallel lheiewiili, a second actuating member mounted on said red at its inner end and operalivelv connected to said first-named actuating member, \vherelij rotation olf said rod in eiiliei' direction actuates said valve plate i0! connecting' either said tone arm or said sound tube with the common ainpliliving; chamber and a rotary linger piece connected to the outer end of said rod for actuating kill same.

ADOLPH A. 'll-LGMAE. 

